Inside this Issue - Puckapunyal Primary School will have to make other arrangements for that day....

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1 Principal -Kevin Warne Assistant Principal Allyson Dixon School Council President Matt Postill Telephone - (03) 5793 1288 Fax - (03) 5793 1412 Web - www.puckapunyalps.vic.edu.au/ Email - [email protected] Alamein Road Puckapunyal, Vic, 3662 Postal: Military P.O. ABN: - 74134967962 Term 4 Issue 11 December 17 th , 2014 Inside this Issue: Student Weekly Awards 2 Birthdays/DSTA Report 3 Farewell, Damien 3 Thank you, Student Leaders 3 Valedictory Awards 4-8 Awards Assembly 9-11 Spelling Bee 12 2015 Information 13 ***Sunday Nights - a great night to check for Head Lice. *** Friday 19 th December Last Day of Term 4 1:10pm Assembly 1:30pm Dismissal Thursday 22 nd January Open Day Wednesday 28 th January Staff Resume Thursday 29 th January Years 1-6 Students Begin Thursday 29 th January Family Information Session (all families) 9:30am Friday 30 th January Foundation (Prep) Students Begin Monday 2 nd Thursday 12 th February Years 3-6 House Swimming Program (Puckapunyal Pool) Friday 13 th February Years 3-6 House Swimming Carnival (Puckapunyal Indoor Pool) ***Have you heard your child read today? We encourage all students to practise their reading at home about 5 nights per week. Therefore, by now, most students should have read at least between 215-220 nights. Well done if you have kept up! On Friday 19 th December it will be our last day of Term 4 in 2014. The children will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. At 1:10 p.m. there will be a final assembly just to say goodbye and to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Please come along and join in our last assembly for 2014 in the school amphitheatre. The final day will be an ‘out of school uniform day’ for all students. There will not be any buses available on the last day for our students who normally travel to school by bus. Students will have to make other arrangements for that day. This term, and no doubt, all of 2014 has been a very busy, yet productive time for Puckapunyal Primary School. We thank our community, staff and students for a successful school year. We also see many new families arrive each year and now we are saying goodbye to others, many of whom are moving interstate or overseas. We understand that it is a very difficult time for families and children, with many families saying goodbye to friends and packing up their houses. We believe that one special thing about Puckapunyal is the way that the community supports the school and this year has been no exception. We would like to thank all of our families for their support this year. Schools rely on parent and community support. The best schools are the schools that have good communication between these groups. Children learn best when the community and the school work together and have the same goals. We are fortunate to have a close relationship with our community. We wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas. We hope that our moving families travel safely and settle quickly into their new homes and their new schools. We also hope that our future families arrive safely and enjoy their stay at Pucka. Good luck to everyone over the Christmas break and have a restful and safe New Year! Christmas cheer to all! Kevin Warne, Principal

Transcript of Inside this Issue - Puckapunyal Primary School will have to make other arrangements for that day....

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‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

Principal -Kevin Warne

Assistant Principal – Allyson Dixon

School Council President – Matt Postill

Telephone - (03) 5793 1288

Fax - (03) 5793 1412 Web - www.puckapunyalps.vic.edu.au/

Email - [email protected]

Alamein Road

Puckapunyal, Vic, 3662

Postal: Military P.O.

ABN: - 74134967962

Term 4 Issue 11

December 17th

, 2014

Website Address -

http//www.puckapunyalps.vic.edu.au/

Inside this Issue: Student Weekly Awards 2

Birthdays/DSTA Report 3

Farewell, Damien 3

Thank you, Student Leaders 3

Valedictory Awards 4-8

Awards Assembly 9-11

Spelling Bee 12

2015 Information 13

***Sunday Nights - a

great night to check for

Head Lice. ***

Friday

19th December

Last Day of Term 4

1:10pm Assembly

1:30pm Dismissal

Thursday

22nd January

Open Day

Wednesday 28th January

Staff Resume

Thursday

29th January

Years 1-6 Students

Begin

Thursday

29th January

Family Information

Session (all families)

9:30am

Friday

30th January

Foundation (Prep)

Students Begin

Monday 2nd – Thursday 12th

February

Years 3-6 House Swimming Program

(Puckapunyal Pool)

Friday

13th February

Years 3-6 House

Swimming Carnival

(Puckapunyal Indoor Pool)

***Have you heard your child read today? We encourage all students to

practise their reading at home about 5 nights per week. Therefore, by now, most

students should have read at least between 215-220 nights.

Well done if you have kept up!

On Friday 19th December it will be our last day of Term 4 in 2014. The children

will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m.

At 1:10 p.m. there will be a final assembly just to say goodbye and to wish you all

a Merry Christmas. Please come along and join in our last assembly for 2014 in the

school amphitheatre.

The final day will be an ‘out of school uniform day’ for all students.

There will not be any buses available on the last day for our students who normally

travel to school by bus. Students will have to make other arrangements for that day.

This term, and no doubt, all of 2014 has been a very busy, yet productive time for

Puckapunyal Primary School. We thank our community, staff and students for a

successful school year.

We also see many new families arrive each year and now we are saying goodbye

to others, many of whom are moving interstate or overseas. We understand that it

is a very difficult time for families and children, with many families saying

goodbye to friends and packing up their houses. We believe that one special thing

about Puckapunyal is the way that the community supports the school and this

year has been no exception.

We would like to thank all of our families for their support this year. Schools rely

on parent and community support. The best schools are the schools that have good

communication between these groups. Children learn best when the community

and the school work together and have the same goals. We are fortunate to have a

close relationship with our community.

We wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas. We hope

that our moving families travel safely and settle quickly into

their new homes and their new schools. We also hope that our

future families arrive safely and enjoy their stay at Pucka.

Good luck to everyone over the Christmas break and have a

restful and safe New Year! Christmas cheer to all!

Kevin Warne, Principal

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Congratulations to the following students who

were ‘Students of the Week’ for last week.

Winners – Paige Cooper, Zakk Chalson, Chloe

Hogan, Henry Billen, Naomi Pennycook, Emma

Harbert, Tea-Rose Porter, Dylan Sallis and Emily

Gourlay. These students were selected because

they were modelling ‘Kindness’. This week

teachers are looking for students who are

modelling ‘Caring’.

Congratulations to the following students

who were ‘Authors of the Week’ for last

week. Winners – Sophie Van Der Waal, Jy

Mawer-Smith, Dakota Chalson, Deacon

Simpson, Ronan Sullivan, Paige Paul, Jake

Tanis, Ethan Neilson and Daniel Boucher.

These students were selected because they

showed great skills as an author.

P/1 O in Room 1

won the Yard Duty

Competition

Trophy. Elizabeth Gardner

and Amber Hopkins

are very happy to

collect the winning

trophy this week!

Did you hear Alli

Jenkinson read part

of her story at

assembly this week?

We did! She did a

wonderful job! Come

along at assemblies

next year to hear

more. Well done,

Alli!

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‘Striving for Excellence’

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No news, health tips or requests for fundraising this week;

just a heartfelt wish that all families have a wonderful, fun-

filled Christmas with family and loved ones. Safe

travelling to all and best wishes to everyone for 2015 –

whatever your destination. I trust that Puckapunyal

Primary School has contributed to a positive 2014 for your

family. I’m looking forward to 2015 with some old and

new faces, ready for new experiences and challenges.

Happy Christmas everyone!!

Sue Ranger, Defence School Transition Aide

Each and every year, we have to sadly farewell some of our

staff.

This year, we have to say goodbye to Damien

Humphrey who has been a classroom teacher over the last

2 years. Damien has just accepted a teaching position at

Broadford Primary School.

He has been a highly valued

teacher who we will miss greatly.

Due to fewer postings into

Puckapunyal for 2015, we will have

less teaching positions for our staff in

2015. We thank Damien for being a

wonderful teacher and wish him

well for the future. We will all miss

you.

This is also the time of the year when we would like to thank many

of the students who have had extra responsibility this year.

*Our School Captains, Ben Postill and

Melanie Waszczuk have performed admirably this

year –thank you, School Captains, we wish you well!

*Our House Captains organised their teams

throughout the many sporting events

this year – well done House Captains!

*Thank you Student Representative Councillors

(S.R.C.) who took on many roles throughout the

year in 2014!

*To all of those students who took responsibility for School

Assemblies, the Year 6 Valedictory Dinner, school crossing

flags, school flag, school bins, newsletter proof reading, yard

duty marking, classroom monitoring and other assigned duties....

we say - ‘thank you, we cannot run a school without you!’

-

Happy Birthday to Matilda Turner,

Alli Jenkinson, Janelle Paz, Jackson Bartle

and Ethan Bowerman who are all having their

birthdays this week or later in December. On

behalf of the Puckapunyal Primary School

Community, we wish them all a very Happy Birthday!

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR REWARD

FINAL SCORE Well done to Hume house for winning this term’s

reward!! There will be fun and games (literally!) and

Icy cups for Hume house and top reward winners

from each class on Thursday. Congratulations to

everyone who received a ticket for positive behaviour

this term. You have contributed to making PPS a

great school to be at.

CURRENT SCORES

Hume- 538 points Melba- 508 points

Bradman- 417 points Chisholm- 359 points

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Last Thursday, all of our Year 6 students attended their Graduation Night – the Valedictory Dinner in our Pitman-Coffey Centre. It was a fantastic night! We saw our Year 6 students accept their graduation

certificates that acknowledged their transition to secondary school for 2015.

The night began with Liam Sullivan, one of our Year 6 students being MC for the evening. He performed

wonderfully! Well done, Liam.

The students and special guests enjoyed the beautiful meal that was catered for by Ken’s Catering.

After the meal, all parents and family members arrived for the presentation. We began with a very professional

powerpoint display that summarised the students’ year and other parts of their lives. It was put together by

Lochie Itter, one of our former school captains and valedictorians. Everybody enjoyed the powerpoint display.

Thank you, Lochie. Sarah Marshall, also one of our former school captains, was our guest speaker and spoke to

the students and wished them the very best for their future. Everybody enjoyed the speech. Thank you, Sarah.

The presentations soon began with each student presenting an acrostic poem for one of their peers as they were

presented with their Graduation Certificates from their classroom teachers.

.

Many special awards were then presented to the worthy recipients. Please read the next few pages.

Class of 2014

Both Year 6 teachers, Damien Humphrey and Jenny Philp

were presented with a beautiful collage to remember 2014.

MC, Liam Sullivan

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‘Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year’ Award - is designed for

the student or students who clearly stand out from the rest of his/her colleagues

in relation to sporting achievements.

The ‘Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year’ award means the name is recorded

on a large plaque and the student receives a small plaque and a book voucher for

$50. The award has been presented to students since 2002. The award was

presented by classroom teacher, Katie Atkinson.

-This year’s ‘Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year’ award was presented to

Ethan Neilson.

Ethan has shown exemplary sporting skills in many different sports.

Ethan has represented the school in District Swimming; District, Division and

Regional Athletics and District, Division and Regional Cross Country.

Ethan, along with his many achievements, has shown maturity by encouraging

others. He has been a fantastic role model and is very worthy of the ‘Outstanding

Sportsperson of the Year’ Award.

Mitchell Shire Citizenship Award - is designed for a

student who is a model citizen and role model for their peers.

The ‘Mitchell Shire Citizenship’ award is a certificate and a book

voucher for $50, donated by the Mitchell Shire. The award has been

presented to students for many years. The award was presented by

Mitchell Shire Mayor, Rodney Parker.

-This year’s ‘Mitchell Shire Citizenship’ award was presented to Mara

Beveridge.

Mara has been a fantastic citizen of Puckapunyal. She has been a

House Captain this year and has been a great role model for her peers.

She has been well organised, compassionate and reliable. She

volunteers to help around the school and apart from being a House

Captain, has undertaken many other roles of responsibility throughout

the year.

The ‘Striving for Excellence’ Award - is designed for a

student who always gives their best regardless of their abilities and

academic achievement – they are striving for excellence (our school

motto).

The ‘Striving for Excellence’ award is a plaque and a book voucher for

$50, donated by the Parents’ Club or the school since 2005. The plaque

was kindly made and donated by the Marshall family. The award was

presented by School Council President Matt Postill.

-This year’s ‘Striving for Excellence’ Award was presented to Josh

Porter.

Josh has been a hard working student who consistently gives 100% in

everything he does. He has a positive attitude and always gives his best.

He has helped out with many jobs around the school and can be relied

upon to do so. He has been a great role model to his peers.

Congratulations Josh.

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‘Striving for Excellence’

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Lion’s Club Community Award - is designed for a student who is an

excellent community member.

The ‘Lion’s Club Community’ award is a small chronology and a Landmark Book

Voucher for $100. The aim of the voucher is to go towards secondary schooling

for next year. The award has been presented for many years. This year’s award

was presented by Dilio Schivo from the Seymour Lion’s Club.

- This year’s ‘Lion’s Club Community’ award was presented to Elaf Elsheikh.

Elaf was selected because she has an eagerness to learn and do well in everything

she does. Isra has been a fantastic citizen at Puckapunyal. She is a wonderful role

model for others to follow. She never complains, is reliable and well organised.

She is always willing to help others and has undertaken many roles and duties at

Puckapunyal. She has been a terrific example for others to follow.

Encouragement Award - is designed for a student who we encourage

to always give his/her best. It is an award for a student who realises that learning

is not easy but well and truly worth the risk.

The ‘Encouragement’ award is a certificate and a book voucher for $50.

This year’s award was presented by Art/Library teacher, Sharon Anderson-

Warne.

- This year’s ‘Encouragement’ award was presented to Alex Waugh.

Unfortunately Alex has already departed to Brisbane. We know he will be

extremely proud to have received this award.

Alex is at a stage in his education where he is just beginning to realise what he

can achieve. We encourage him to continue on, take risks and give it his best at

all times. He realises that he has to work hard to achieve his dreams. We

challenge him to dream on and achieve.

Achievement Award - is designed for a student who achieves

well academically and is a good role model.

The ‘Achievement’ award means the name is recorded on a large

plaque and the student receives a small plaque and a book voucher

for $50, donated by Defcredit. The award has been presented to

students since 1995. This year’s award was presented by Defence

School Transition Aide, Sue Ranger.

- This year’s ‘Achievement’ award was presented to Isra El.sheikh

Isra is a wonderful role model for others to follow and has been a

student who has not hesitated in undertaking extra roles of

responsibility throughout the year. She is always happy with a very

positive attitude. She is dedicated towards achieving her best at all

times. Her academic achievements are also above the expected level

of her year.

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‘Striving for Excellence’

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Academic Excellence – The Academic Excellence awards

are designed for students who have achieved very high results

academically.

The recipients of the ‘Academic Excellence’ awards receive a

certificate and a $50 cheque from the school. This year’s award was

presented by Assistant Principal, Allyson Dixon.

This year’s ‘Academic Excellence’ awards were presented to Josh

Esqueria and Nic Franks.

Both of these students have worked extremely hard academically

and achieved results well above the expected level of their year.

Quiet Achiever – The ‘Quiet Achiever’ award is an award that is donated by Lee

Whant, a former Defence School Transition Aide. This award has been presented since

2005. The recipient’s name is recorded on a large plaque which stays at our school and

the student receives a small plaque and a book voucher for $50. Lee’s husband Chris

has created this trophy from a red gum burl. They choose a special piece of wood each

year that he makes into the small plaque. This year’s award was presented by

classroom teacher, Matthew Itter.

The ‘Quiet Achiever’ award is presented to a student who focuses on doing the best

they can, with what they have. They never give in to themselves and continually

display the important values of tolerance, kindness and friendship towards others. Lee

believes these values are another aspect of excellence and complement the school’s

motto of ‘Striving for Excellence’. The significance of the bear that you see on the

plaque is about caring and reflection.

This year’s ‘Quiet Achiever’ award is presented to Charli Berger

Charli was selected because she is a caring, compassionate student who is always

ready to help out and do her best. She is always enthusiastic to learn and eager to

improve. She always works to the best of her ability and strives for excellence. She has

also been a great House Captain throughout the year.

School Bursaries – Are designed for students who best

achieve academically and are great role models for their peers.

They are our best all round students.

There are 4 awards this year. The ‘School Bursaries’ are a

certificate and a book voucher for $250 and their names will

remain on our new School Honours Board. The aim of the

voucher is to go towards the students’ secondary schooling for

next year. The bursaries have been kindly donated by the

Puckapunyal Area Amenities Board. The award has been

presented for the past 30 or so years. This year the awards were

presented by Principal, Kevin Warne and Lieutenant Colonel

Kirsty Skinner

The students have been selected because they are the 4 students

who have achieved consistently throughout the year in all areas

of the curriculum and in extra-curricular activities. They are the

students who set the standard for others to follow. They are

great role models. They are the students who not only behaved

and conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, they set the

standard academically as well.

-This year’s ‘Student Bursaries’ are awarded to Melanie

Waszczuk, Marisa Zantey, Patrick Broughton and Ben

Postill.

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‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

All Year 6 students displayed their ‘Brag’ Boards’ at the

Valedictory Dinner. Do you like these examples?

Guest Speaker, former School Captain, Sarah

Marshall, delivering her speech.

A big thank you to Mrs. Jennifer Philp and Mr. Damien

Humphrey for their tireless efforts in organising the night. Thank

you teachers! We would also like to thank our parent helpers who

for weeks had been organising bits and pieces with our teachers.

Many were even waiters for the night!

The School Valedictorian is a person who is selected to best

represent their peers to make a speech on behalf of them.

This year we had 1 Valedictorian. The Valedictorian will have his

name printed on our school Honours Board and receive a small

plaque.

This year our Valedictorian was school captain, Ben Postill.

He was selected because he is not only a brilliant citizen, but also

can make a speech to best represent his fellow peers. He is a great

student and a superb role model as shown by receiving a student

bursary award as well.

**Ben’s awesome speech is available on our school website.**

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‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

At Monday morning’s Awards Assembly several awards were presented to worthy students. It has been a long tradition

to have an Awards Assembly at Pucka P.S. Congratulations to all of the successful recipients. We had a huge audience

at the assembly which was terrific. Thank you to the families who were able to come.

At Monday’s Awards Assembly, the annual ‘In Kindness’ Award was

presented to Hakimi Shukri. This award was donated by the Ulrich family

in 2000.

Hakimi is a worthy winner of this award. The ‘In Kindness’ award is for a

student that is a kind, caring, thoughtful and a helpful student. Hakimi

demonstrates these values and many other of our school values. He is a well-

liked and respected student in the classroom and the school. He is always

willing to help out and has a positive manner towards his school, teachers,

friends and others. Well done Hakimi, keep up the great work!

(written by class teacher, Damien Humphrey)

At Monday’s Awards Assembly, the annual ‘The Tryers’ Award was

presented to Shontay Wicks. This award was donated by the Proudlock family

in 2000. Shontay is a year 2 student in my class who is always kind, caring and considerate of

others. She works well in class and willingly offers and accepts assistance from other students. She responds well to feedback and encouragement. Shontay has made

excellent progress this year and she is a student who always keeps on trying in order to achieve the best outcomes in many situations. She has worked hard at gaining

understanding of the topics covered this year and has made great progress with her

Literacy work. She seeks additional work in Numeracy and regularly completes extra work at home in order to assist with her understanding and fluency of concepts. A great

effort Shontay, you are a very deserving recipient of ‘The Tryers’ Award.

Congratulations!

(written by class teacher, Robyn Itter)

Each and every year our school selects 2 students, 1 boy and 1 girl who

were out best cyclists during the 3 Day Bike Ride.

At our Awards Assembly on Monday Giselle Andrew and Daniel

Allen were awarded the distinction of having their names engraved on

the shield. The shield was donated by the Franklin family in 2004.

I’m proud to say that Giselle and Daniel were part of the front group for

all three days, travelling at an average of 25km/hr. Over the three days

they travelled around 180km. The two students were not only the two best

riders but two of the best well behaved students that went on the trip.

Well done Giselle and Daniel! (written by class teacher, Damien

Humphrey)

Fun Run Award

We awarded a Digital Audio Player (with LCD Screen) to the

highest individual Fun Run fundraiser at school. That was Tea-

Rose Porter. She raised $94! Great job, Tea! Thanks to everyone

who participated.

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‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

At Monday’s Awards Assembly, the ‘Making a Difference Award’

of the Year was presented to Oliver Kenny.

The student receiving the Making a Difference Award was chosen because

he makes a difference in the lives of the Staff and Students at Puckapunyal

Primary School. In class, he is hardworking and reliable and is one of the

first people chosen when a job needs doing. He is extremely thoughtful. He

goes out of his way to help anyone no matter what grade. He is the quiet

hero who watches out for everyone; not for the reward, just because he

cares. The student who makes sure everyone has a turn and encourages

them; win or lose. He’s the unsung student who will stop his work share to

share his knowledge with those who misunderstand. He’s the peacemaker on

the playground who will find help when his friends are upset.

It is my great pleasure to award the Making a Difference Award to Oliver

Kenny. It has been a pleasure to teach him this term. I wish him well in

Queensland. (written by class teacher, Racheal Broughton).

Each year, the ‘Julie Lyons-Vague Scholarship’ Award will be presented to

a Grade 4/5 student who embodies the qualities that Mrs Lyons-Vague

valued. The award is presented on behalf of the Vague family, including

Leigh Vague, Mrs Lyons-Vague’s husband, and Mrs Lyons-Vague’s sons,

Aaron and Justin.

At Monday’s Awards Assembly, the ‘Julie Lyons-Vague

Scholarship’ Award was presented to Giselle Andrew. This

award is a book voucher for $100 donated by the Vague family. Our

teacher, Jane Challis presented the award on behalf of the Vague family.

I am proud to award Giselle with the Julie Lyons-Vague Scholarship Award

this year. I have had the pleasure of teaching Giselle the past 2 years and

have watched her develop into a valuable student at Puckapunyal Primary.

She is a student that pushes herself to absolute limits, either in the

classroom or in extracurricular activities such as athletics. Giselle has been

an SRC representative the past two years and demonstrates all of our school

values. I’m sure Mrs Lyons-Vague would be incredibly proud and pleased

for Giselle to win this award. Well done Giselle! (written by class teacher,

Damien Humphrey)

We thank Naomi Pennycook and Emma Harbert.

They were responsible for organising everything to do

with our school chickens this year. They were

especially impressive each week at assembly

informing us about the chickens. They were presented

with the ‘Chicken Princess’ Award at assembly.

Thank you, girls!

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‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

Prep – Amelia Cree (written by class teacher, Sally O’Connor)

The recipient of the Foundation Striving for Excellence award is someone who always has a

smile on her face. She tries her hardest at whatever the task. She is helpful, thoughtful and

willing to lend a hand to anyone. It has been an absolute privilege to teach her this year. The winner of the Foundation

Striving for Excellence award is Amelia Cree!

Year 5 – Taylah Studte (written by class teacher, Jenny Philp)

This year’s Year 5 ‘Striving for Excellence’ Award is presented to Taylah Studte. Taylah consistently gives 100% effort in everything that she does. She has a great, positive attitude and

always gives her best. She volunteers to help with jobs around the school and can be relied upon

to do so. She has been a great role model as an SRC representative. Congratulations Taylah.

Year 3 – Carter Grant (written by class teacher, Katie Atkinson)

Carter is a friendly, caring and kind student. He has a positive attitude and always approaches new

work with enthusiasm and the desire to learn. When it came to the nominations for this awards

assembly Carter could have easily fallen into several of the categories. He is a ‘trier’, he will always

have a go at any task I ask him to complete no matter how hard or easy. Throughout this year he has worked so hard to improve his reading and the achievements that he has made in this area have made

me very proud to be his teacher. He continually makes a difference in our classroom, he is kind and caring to his peer and makes everyone feel welcome. He always helps and supports other students.

Keep Striving for Excellence Carter!

Year 4 – Emma Harbert (written by class teacher, Katie Atkinson)

I have had the privilege of teaching Emma in grades 1, 3 and now again in grade 4. Over this time

I have had the opportunity to see her blossom in so many areas. She is caring, creative and boy can she talk! Emma is a student who constantly demonstrates all of our school values, but in

particular she always Strives for Excellence. She always works to the best of her ability no matter what she has been asked to do. This year I have seen Emma really push herself and work hard in

Numeracy so that she can extend her knowledge in this area.

Keep working hard Emma and continue to Strive for Excellence in everything that you do.

Year 2 – Haikal Shukri (written by Assistant Principal, Allyson Dixon)

I am sure if the Oxford dictionary was to have a meaning for Striving For Excellence- this boy’s name would

be used as the real life example.The Year 2 Striving For Excellence Award is being awarded to a student who each and every day attends school with a positive, can do attitude. He is consistently on task and uses every

class moment to extend his skills and learn new things.

He has read more than 250 nights at home this year and has delighted in learning new words and their meanings. He has not missed one week of Homework and has some of the most impeccable handwriting I

have seen in my 17 years in teaching. When in class this student always produces work of a very high standard and expects nothing less of himself - never worrying about how other students are achieving or

comparing himself to his peers.The Year 2 Striving For Excellence Award is awarded to …. Haikal Shukri

Year 1 – Christiana McCabe (written by class teacher, Matthew Itter)

Christiana McCabe is a polite, quiet member of the class who goes about the task at hand with a

minimum of fuss. She tries hard to do her best and takes advice and works hard to improve her skills. She is a very capable student too. Christiana's reading is particularly good. She sets a

good example for others with her behaviour and effort. Christiana treats other people with

respect and frequently displays good manners.

‘Striving for Excellence’ Awards - The school presented 6 awards to students in each of the year levels from

Prep-Year 5. The students were selected because they are students who always try and give their best, regardless of their

academic levels. They received a plaque and a book voucher for $50. Well done, kids! ‘Striving for Excellence’ is our

school motto!!

12

‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

Congratulations to all of the students who reached the final of the School Spelling Bee. Well done to the 7

winners! Thank you again to Mr. Itter for being our MC and doing another entertaining job! Thank you to all of

the supporting staff.

Well done, Jackson, Amelia and

Joel!

Well done, Tallen, Henry and

Jett!

Well done, Anna, Abigail and

Emily!

Well done, Hamish, Nathan and

Oliver! Well done, Mitchell, Isam, Dylan

and Jake!

Well done, Marisa, Mel, Nic and

Ben!

Well done, Mr. Itter!

Well done, Samuel, Elijah, Tea-

Rose and Raelene!

‘Last week, my mum and other Go-

TAFE staff came and took our grade

for cooking in the school kitchen. We

cooked chocolate pizzas. It was tasty!

It was a special treat for my birthday.’

By Alli Jenkinson

13

‘Striving for Excellence’

Open since 1887

The end of 2014 is almost upon us and no doubt there is excitement about school for next year.

For Kinder families we hope that our school has been helpful over the past few months with transition days

so that the move into Foundation (Preps) will be easier for your child. The year 2015 is going to be special

for your family. Obviously it will be your child's first year of schooling. We understand that families will be

excited and nervous.

The starting date for Years 1-6 students is Thursday 29th

January. The first day for Foundation (Prep)

students is Friday 30th

January.

The Foundation (Prep) students will then attend school for normal hours from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. for

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in February. The students will not attend school on Wednesdays

during Term 1 until 4th

March. This again will help the students get used to school life and a break mid-week

will keep them refreshed for school. In our experience, Foundation students do get very tired in their first few

weeks of school and a break mid-week has shown to be beneficial. Again, the Wednesday will also be used

for Foundation student testing and an appointment date will be given to each family for one of those

Wednesdays.

School Open Day is Thursday 22rd

January, which is for families who haven’t yet enrolled their children or

had a chance to tour the school. School Uniforms will also be available for any families to purchase on that

day. At the end of Open Day, when we have a much more accurate idea of how many students will be

attending our school, we will send each family a letter. The letter will let families know who their child’s

teacher will be and what classroom they will be in for 2015.

On Thursday 29th

January at 9:00 a.m. all Years 1-6 students will begin their school year with a morning

assembly in the school amphitheatre. Families and students can find a seat together in the amphitheatre.

Immediately after the assembly, all new families and especially Foundation (Prep) families are invited to a

New Parent Information Session. That meeting will give parents a chance to be introduced to their child’s

teacher and find out important information for 2015. We recommend that all new families attend that session,

as this session won’t be repeated on Friday.

Public Holidays for 2015 Monday 26

th January Australia Day Holiday

Monday 9th March Labour Day

Friday 3rd

April Good Friday

Monday 6th April Easter Monday

Saturday 25th April Anzac Day

Monday June 8th Queen’s Birthday

Tuesday November 3rd

Melbourne Cup Day

Significant School Dates for 2015 Thursday 22

nd January Open Day

Wednesday 28th January Staff Resume

Thursday 29th January Years 1-6 Commence

New Parent Information

Session 9:00 a.m.

Friday 30th January Foundation (Preps)

Commence

Wednesday 4th March Parent/Teacher Interviews

Friday 27th March End of Term 1